The Brown Branch
!! This is one of three possible ending of "Trails on Sand". I recommended this one for persons who cheer her in her heroic, yet murderous quest. If you are a Kiara-fan, this ending would be rather unacceptable for you. Maybe stop on reading TGB, or check next one. (Warning! This story should be read with carefulness. It contains scenes of violence and many troubling themes. It's also not the best story for devoted fans of Kiara. Knowing TSH and TGQ is recommended to read it. Also TNR helps You to get familiar with scene of this tale – Golden Sands.)!!
Chungu hit Tetesi's side with impetus that threw them both over four metres aside. Brownfurred intuitively clenched her paws, plunging them into Kiara's neck. So when rouge pushed her in side, she also pulled her claws in queen's body. But then she was grabbed in the air and second later landed on sand. One of the first thing the noticed what that her paws was all spotted with blood of lioness.
"Damn!" thought brownfurred. "I so wanted to kill her, that I actually missed the moment." But before she smiled, heavy blow struck her forehead.
"You killed Angaa!" growled Chungu.
"Sorry, I had to misunderstood his peaceful intentions." Snorted Tetesi with weary voice. The dizziness inside her head was overwhelming. She was also totally confused. It came not as she planned.
"You will die." Called lion and hit again.
"Someday everyone will." Smiled Tetesi, somehow shunning another attack. That gave her enough time to take a look around. She saw Kiara, slowly hobbling in Golden Cave direction. From her neck was flowing down the red stream of artery's blood. "You are done anyway, Chungu!" called brownfurred. "Look, you killed the queen!"
"I?" lion stopped shocked. "You did it."
"Kill me too and they will surely believe you!" laughed Tetesi and rouge uncertainly turned his stare back. Maybe it wasn't too noble nor heroic, but lioness pounced in that moment.
Looking back, rouge unshielded his precious neck. Tetesi didn't waste her chance and hit exactly in that spot. With claws she plunged into his side, to get a grab, then bit the throat. Whatever it looks, it's not easy for a lioness with rather small jaw to crush giant male's neck. Apart of size, it was just hard to aim, because of mane. But Tetesi hit good enough to damage one of neck arteries. She jumped back instantly then, not tempting her fate. If she stayed a moment longer even fatal wounded male could squashed her in his mighty grip.
So she stopped several metres before rouge, looking on his neck. The blood was almost unseen, because lion's mane was naturally red. But then it was glued with moisture in places where Tetesi hit. Chungu was bleeding to death. However he was still dangerous. Lioness prepared herself for further combat. She had to eliminate last witness of her assassination, what wasn't hard, if she was going to be careful. She was – attacking from distance, tiring the enemy, he waited for nature to do her job. Moves of lion were becoming slower and slower, less firm and agile. Tetesi decided that she could finish him with one decisive attack. But somehow stopped her. She still was circling around fading enemy.
"Actually it's not his fault he got into this." She thought. "I know it rather a poor recompense, but I want him to die as a warrior, fighting to the last breath." So she was dancing around rouge until he finally hit the sand with no more life in his veins. Then she recalled herself about Kiara. Tetesi turned east and set off to run, but after few steps she understood it was useless. Queen had already lost her race with the death.
\/\/\/
Kiara was walking ahead, slowly losing any vision. She felt no more pain nor sorrow, just overwhelming weakness in whole body. She knew she was dying but somehow – she didn't know why - tried to go as far as she could.
"Maybe I doing it for Kovu." She though with fading mind. "And somehow for Tetesi too. She killed me, because I was too weak. I will show them both, I really can walk the desert. It's not so hard, as I thought. Just you have to forget about weariness and want to move ahead. Can you see it Kovu? I'm a desert lioness now!" whispered in mind, then hit with muzzle into hot sand of her kingdom.
When I got to her, she was already dead. She was almost exsaguined, not surprisingly after cut of both neck arteries. I was simply amazed how she got that far. Maybe it was just her dying message? That he wasn't as weak as I though?
Then I burst in tears. I know, it sounds stupid, but I was actually crying for her. She was my rival, she stole Kovu from me. But she was also a friend. Maybe only I had in Golden Sands. The closest person to me, except of Kovu and mother. I bended down to her and licked her forehead, still sobbing. It wasn't pang of remorse, just pang of sorrow. But then I calmed down. I had to save tears for later.
It prepared that too – I had to lie before Kovu and made him believe what he wanted to. Maybe it sounds easy, but for me cheating my love was much harder than killing my friend. I scratched my cheeks and forehead with my own paws. Then I got back to Kiara's body and added another cut on her neck. Thanks to those injuries looked as inflicted by male's paws. After that I was ready to do the worst part.
Hobbling and partially crawling came easily for me, because I was actually exhausted. Few my wound had done some work too, so I was marching home as half-dead. As first mother noticed me. She roared to alarm pride and soon after almost everyone came for me. Only Lipizi, Jamaa and guarding them Danti, Ostasi and Tuli stayed. Of course cubs were in cave too. So I was quickly surrounded by almost everyone, but I was looking only for one silhouette. I kept my head on the ground and didn't move an inch when Kovu bended down to me and asked with terrified voice.
"Kiara… where is Kiara!?"
"My lord… forgive me!" I called with all my might, with blow of that yell some sand from the ground. "She… she…" I burst in the cry. In the same time faked and real ones.
I felt as mother laid down next to me and lick my head. I remained motionless, waiting for sentence of my king. I knew he ran to body of Kiara and was watching lionesses to lift it up and carry back. I was still unsure how would react my king. Earlier I was sure that I succeed. But lying in sand then I was scared as I was never in my life. Even in day of Battle of Reunion. Finally the procession return to us.
"Tetesi…" I heard his broken, although gentle voice. "Are you hurt?"
"I failed… I failed." I was repeating. I was so scared that my panic and remorse was absolutely honest.
"How is she?" asked king to my mother. I heard also whispers of other girls: 'She fought with two lions!' 'Stars! How did she make it?'
"Wounded, shocked… But has no serious injuries."
"I deserved to die!" I sobbed.
Then it happened. Kovu came closer and laid down in sand next to me. I sensed his muzzle next to my ear. He whispered.
"No… That was I who failed. Stand, please… I beg you. You are only who left me now, Tetesi."
Sound of those words call my body to jump up. Fortunately I was too weak to obeyed that. So I was taken by mother and Ukungu and carried after dead queen to cave. I lost my consciousness in progress.
When I woke up, I noticed I was in king's chamber in king's bedding. In entrance to room was sleeping mother and just next to me was lying Kovu. When I made my first move, king instantly opened his eyes and stood up.
"Lay low, Tetesi, rest."
"No…" I whispered, again starting to cry. Those things couldn't be prepared, I was really feeling terrible. "It isn't true…"
"Hush, just sleep."
"Kiara…"
"Kiara is dead." Said Kovu with broken voice. "But it's not your fault. You almost died standing for her… It was a miracle you survived."
"So I let her die…" I panted. "I killed her…" added with ironical honesty.
"NO!" gasped Kovu. "You did what you could."
"Indeed!" I thought.
"Tetesi, please, believe me! No one blames you for what has happened!"
"Except of you, sir." I said.
"No, I would never blame you. I'm far from it!" he assured.
Then my mother woke up and looked on us. She asked with stare what she had to bring, but Kovu just asked her.
"Dotty, tell her. What we think about her."
"What?" murmured mom, but then instantly said. "My darling… We all are so glad you made it… And we are proud of you. You did well!"
"You have no idea how good I was." I thought, hiding my smile.
"But queen…"
"No one could demand more from you. You did right thing." Said my mother and exited the chamber with tears in her eyes. Funny, sometimes I wonder if she knows the truth and then said it understanding what she was really exculpating. Who knows. She is very wise lioness.
"Tetesi?" Asked Kovu. I looked into his eyes. "Never blame yourself. You survived and use that chance. You was destined to die, fighting with two lions. But you made it. That's a sign from the Stars." Maybe, but from which ones? I thing that from Kings of the Past only Great Scar would understood me. I hope he did.
"I doubt if I ever forgive myself." I said. "She was… my student, I had to care about her."
"Please, forgive." Said Kovu. "There are still ones here for whom you must take care." He paused for a moment, then added with shivering voice. "I wouldn't told you before the mourning after Kiara is over, but you know it anyway. Am I right?" I nodded your head. "I really miss Kiara. But that fact can't change the simple truth. I love you. I loved earlier, when she was still alive, but…"
"I loved you too, my king. My Kovu." I replied. "I would never dared to say it before, but now…" I paused too, giving him time to smile. "If Stars decided that I should survive, it happened with purpose. Do you want me to be at your side from now on?"
He nodded his head, exactly as I always imagined it would look. Inside I sighed with relief. It would be really, really stupid to kill your best friend in vain.
Epilogue
Days, months and now even years has passed from that day. Many things has changed, but in the way I liked them to.
It was hard, but necessary to exile Lipizi from Golden Sands. Fortunately Jamaa decided to go with her. I remember that day.
"I loved him, you bastard!" cried lightfurred, when she was for the last time standing before Golden Cave. "Ghibu was a father of my cubs… But I loved him… I love them both and you killed them both." She rushed to pounce on Kovu. Jamaa overturned her and pinned to the ground.
"Please…" he whispered. "Don't avenge on her."
"You are not allowed to live here, Lipizi." Called Kovu. "Your cubs shall stay in the pride. We will give them better care than their wicked mother could give."
"I bet you will, Your Infallibility!" and spat on my mate.
"Are you trying my patience?" asked Kovu with growling voice. Maybe first time in his life he was so angry and merciless. But it was necessary. I noticed as Kauli smiled, very pleased. "Go away."
She turned east and set off ahead. After few steps she stopped, to look on her cubs, but growl of whole pride hastened her. So she went further and Jamaa followed.
"Wait, Jamaa!" called surprised Kovu. "I have nothing against you. You may stay and…"
"You are a noble and right king, my lord." Said lion with hollow voice. "It's really unfortunate what happened here. But please, do not ask me to praise your justice. It hurts." Then he turned back to Lipizi. "I'm going with her, because she is the only pride I have now. Farewell, fair ruler. I hope you are satisfied."
Lionesses sighed with sorrow. Jamaa was favourite of whole pride. But if he willingly defied the king, it was better for him to leave. But 'better' not always means 'good'.
"Let's go home." Said Kovu finally. "Many bad things happened, but we can't undo them. We could only make sure that none of those mistakes would be repeated in future."
So we entered cave – smaller and harmed pride. But somehow stronger. We were whole again.
And then it all came… well not to track it had been going earlier, but on better way. I became Golden Queen soon after mourning was finished. But who cares… That wasn't my aim after all. Kovu was. Anyway I became monarchess and took the responsibility as well as I could. Ask girls, but I think I'm good lioness on my place. Mother says the best since many generations, but mothers always say such a things. I love her also because of that.
With Kovu I had a cub, girl we called Kota. I love her with all my heart, but I never struggled for throne for her. Kingdom has its heir already and I don't care it's Kiara's son. In the very first place it's Kovu's son. I love him and he calls me 'mother'.
Dhalimu is almost mature now. Yesterday we announced his maturity of three years. We gathered all animals of land before Golden Cave and let them hear the mighty roar of prince. I was standing behind him, with my beloved Kovu by my side. Near were also: my mother (she is doing very well and for her age. I pray she will be with us as long as it's possible), my little Kota (All right, not so little, she is over two and growing to become beautiful lioness) and all lovely girls of pride. My subjects, my friends.
Gathered animals bowed before rulers of their land, that meant also before me, the Golden Queen. I saw the proud smile of Dhalimu and sparking happiness among all our pride. We are perfect and loving family, ruling the greatest kingdom in Lions Lands. We survived the crisis and dared the tomorrow. We won.
I wonder how should I look on Kiara's death. Is that was necessary for today's harmony or I'm just looking for another excuse for what I've done? Who knows? I asked Kiara many times, looking on nightly sky above me. She never has spoken to me, but I actually doubt if she hates me. After all used her death in the best way I could.
I'm a murderer. The paws I'm now stroking mane of my mate and king, the same I was hugging my daughter and stepson, the same that carried me on hunting for my pride – the same paws are stained with blood of Kiara of Pridelands. My predecessor. My rival. My friend.
But if that is the price I have to pay for peace and happiness of my kingdom, I pay it gladly!
The End
TakaPL – August 2007
